Effectiveness of Group CBT with Memory Specificity Training In Moderately Depressed Adults in Two London Boroughs

Abstract:

Memory specificity training
(MEST) alone may improve depressedmood through increased memory specificity as
found in previous studies. The purpose of the research was to build and expand
on the use of MEST by testing the efficacy and feasibility ofseven treatment sessions
with a three month follow up of group CBT with MEST in moderately depressed
adults. An initial sample of 60 adult participants had been recruited through
advertisements and screening procedures within two London Boroughs. They were block
randomised to ensure equal gender and allocated to a within group design with
repeated measures using the Autobiographical memory Test to measure changes in
memory specificity (AMS) and theBeck depression inventory II (BDI-II) to
measure changes in mood. Data from 55 completers was analysed using a one way
repeated ANOVA. The results showed the changes in scores from both measures
where statistically significant at post treatment and three month follow up
compared to the pre-treatment scores with large effect sizes. This outcome
rejected thenull hypothesis and showed that MEST was an effective and feasible
adjunctwith CBT in improving memory specificity and mood more than was achieved
in previous studies using MEST alone. Limitations of the study included,
randomisation not fully blind, no independent therapists, low frequency of
supervision for checking manual adherence, no SCID, short follow up period and
reduced generalisability. Future research could repeat this study use group CBT
as a control, participants from out-patient departments, larger sample size,
improve blinding before random allocation, using SCID, frequentsupervision and
use of independent therapists.